Stop for fasteners



March 27, 1934. c, LEGAT 1,952,506

STOP FOR FASTENERS Filed April 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet. 1

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STOP FOR FASTENERS Filed April 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 j7weiziai" jierl a az 5y MM 91m .March 27, 1934. Q LEGAT, 1,952,506

STOP FOR FASTENERS Filed April 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I filflfirlibi W17 4629014 0 6,685 @Leya? Patented Mar. 27 1934 UNITED" STATES 1,952,506 f? sror FOR FASTENERS Robert Legat, New Britain, Conn., assignor to G. E. Prentice Manufacturing Company, New Britain, Conn.,' a corporation of Connecticut Application April 15, 1933, Serial No. 666,300

20 Claims. (Cl. 24-205) This ,invention pertains to slide operated fasteners of the kind in which opposed series of fastener elements are mounted respectively upon the edges of flexible stringers and are moved into 5 and out of engaging relationship by means of a slider, and relates more particularly to an improved end stop for such fasteners.

For certain purposes, for example, when used for closing the front of a sweater, coat, or the like, it is desirable to arrange the fastener-elements so that the opposed edges of the garment may be separated from end to end,-in order to avoid the necessity of drawing .the garment on or off over thewearers head, and with this object in view, it has heretoforebeen proposed to make the fastener actuating slider in two parts, each v part being associated with one of the'series of fastener elements, so that when the slider has been moved to the end of the-series in opening the gap, its parts may be separated, thus wholly disconnecting the opposite sides of the garment. Another proposed mode of attaining the desired result is by the use of a. slider of substantially usual type, arranged to cooperate with a bottom end stop, which normally holds the opposed edges of the material together at the end of the gap, but which comprises parts which may be separated-at will. An arrangement of the latter type is disclosed, for exanhale, in my prior Patent No.

1,893,823, dated January 10, 1933, and it is to the latter general type of arrangement that the present invention is primarily applicable.

The separable bottom stop disclosed in my aforesaid patent is usually very effective for the as intended purpose, but I have observed that separable bottom stops of certain types are not always reliable under some conditions of use, for instance when employed upon childrens garments where the fasteners are often exposed to violent 40 and sharp flexing. Under such circumstances,

the complemental bottom stop members sometimes separate after the slider has been moved away from the bottom stop for closing the fastener,thus allowing the exposed series of fastener elements to separate below the slider. The

slider is not capable of reuniting such separated series of elements by movement in the downward direction, and attempts to do so usually result in jamming the parts. As the front flaps of the garment can. not now be separated in the normal manner, the wearer is sometimes .unable to remove the garment, and-resort is often had to cutting or tearing, thus destroying the garment and/ or ruining the fastener. In accordance with the present invention, I

provide an arrangement such that if separation of the fastener elements below the slider should occur, the garment may readily be removed, if desired, without damage either to it or to the fastener, and the fastener device may readily be re- 80 stored to normal operative condition without recourse to the use of tools, and by even the most unskilled.

With this object in view, I provide one at least of the stringers with a top stop so devised that if occasion arose, it may be made inoperative to limit movement of the slider, and thus while normally functioning in usual manner as an end stop, it may, when desired, be so manipulated as to permit the slider eompletelyto disengage the fastener elements ofone series. After being so disengaged, the slider may be moved back along the other series until it reaches the bottom stop, and after restoring the top stop to its normal condition, the fastener is ready for manipulation in the usual way for closing the garment.

- In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated certain desirable embodiments of the invention by way of example, and in the drawings,"

I 1 is a fragmentary front elevation illustrating, for example, the front portion of a gar-' ment provided with a slide-actuated fastener of the type to which the present invention relates, and showing the opposed series of fastener ele-' ments' separated below the slider; 86

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing the normal arrangement of my improved top stop member when operative to limit upward movement of the slider;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing my improved top stop member with its parts so arranged as no longer to obstruct upward movement of the slider;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the slider as'having been moved upwardly beyond the ends of the opposed series of fastener elements, thus permitting the complete separation of the opposed series;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the lefthand stringer of Fig. 1, showing the slider in broken lines at the upper end of the series of fastener elements in the position it may occupy immediately after complete separation of the two series, while at the lower part of this figure the slider is again shown in. broken lines as having been slid down along the series into engagement with the bottom stop;

Fig. 6' is a fragmentary elevation similar to Fig. 5, andshowing how the bottom stop member of the right-hand series may be engag d with the slider channel, and passed downwardly through the latter into operative relationship -with the other bottom stop member;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevation similar to Fig. 1, showing the slider arranged adjacent to the assembled bottom stop'members of the respective stringers and ready for closing the fas tener by upward movement;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front'elevation to somewhat larger scale, showing my improved top stop in a preferred embodiment as applied to the lefthand stringer;

Fig. 9 is a section substantially on the line 99 of Fig. 8, showing the slider-limiting element of the top stop in its normal, operative position;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing the slider-limiting element of the top stop moved to its inoperative position;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevation showing a garment provided with a slide-operated fastener, and with a top end stop of a modified construction, the stop being shown in its normal,

operative position;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the slider-limiting element of the stop moved to its inoperative position;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation, to larger scale,-

it is enabled to pass the top stop when the limiting element of the latter occupies the position shown in Figs. 12, 14 and 16.

When' in the following discussion reference is made to the top or the bottom of the fastener, it is to be understood that these terms are used only in a relative sense, since fasteners of this type are sometimes arranged to be closed by upward movement of the slider, and sometimes by downward movement of the slider. Furthermore, while in the detailed description only one of the top stops is referred to of my improved type, I wish it to be understood that both top stops may be of this or'equivalent construction, if desired, and that while such improved top stops are particularly useful in conjunction with separable bottom stops, they may be found of utility in fasteners not equipped with such bottom stops.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 10, the numerals 1 and'2 designate flexible stringers of the usual type to which the fastener elements are attached, such stringers usually consisting of lengths of tape adapted to be sewed or otherwise secured to the garment or other device to which the fastener is applied. In the present instance these stringers 1 and 2 may, if desired, be considered as representing the opposite flaps of a garment which ,are to be brought together by the operation of the fastener.

The stringers 1 and 2 support the opposite cooperating series 3 and 4 of fastener elements, and these elements are moved into and out of cooperating relation by means of a slider 5 of any suitable type, for example, that disclosed in Prentice Patent No. 1,900,949, dated March 14, 1933, the slider moving in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener, said path being subbraces.

with a pivoted pull tab 6 which, as specifically illustrated in Fig. 4, is provided with a pair of locking fingers 7 adapted to pass through slots 8 in the front wing of the slider, for holding the slider in adjusted position. However, this looking construction forms no part of the present invention.

As here shown, the lower ends of the stringers are furnished, respectively, with bottom stop members 9 and 10, the member 9 being a socket member, and the member 10 being a pin member adapted to seat in the socket member and thus to hold the lower ends of the stringers in proper assembled relation with the lowermost fastener elements arranged for engagement as the slider begins its upward movement. Such bottom end stops are more fully described and claimed in my Patent No. 1,893,823, supra.

The right-hand stringer 2 is provided, as illustrated in Fig. 1, with a fixed member 11 at the upper end of its series of elements 4, and this top member may be of any desirable construction but of itself performs no. slider-limiting function, being of such dimensions as to permit it to pass through the slider channel. If desired, the mem-- ber 11 may be replaced by a stop member of my improved construction hereafter described, it being understood that it is immaterial whether my improved stop member be applied to one stringer or the other, or to both.

As here illustrated, my improved stop member 12 is secured to the'left-hand stringer 1 (Fig. 1) closely adjacent to the upper end of the series of fastener elements 3. In the preferred construction, this top stop member 12 consists of a piece of sheet metal bent to provide a substantially U-shaped portion 13 (Figs. 8, 9, 10), which embraces the bead B of the stringer, and which is compressed into firm engagement with the bead so as to anchor this base'portion of the stop member firmly and permanently to the stringer.

The outer surface of the part 13 is curved substantially concentric with the bead which it em- This base member is also furnished with a tail 14, which extends beyond the inner edge of the bead B, overlapping the front face of the stringer proper, (as illustrated in Fig. 1) and this tail is furnished with an elongate slot 15 spaced from the extreme left-hand edge of the tail by the portion 15 constituting a pintle member. This top stop device also comprises a slider-limiting element 16, which is also preferably of sheet metal, having one end bent around at 17 so as to embrace the pintle member 15 thereby to form a hinge joint between the base portion and the slider-limiting element. The free end portion 18 of the latter is curved, soas normally partly to embrace the curved part 13 of the base portion of the stop. Preferably the part 16 is somewhat resilient, and its dimensions are such that when the parts occupy the position shown in Fig. 9, for example. the part 18 resiliently clasps or grips the part 13, and can only be separated from the latter by the exercise of purposeful force.

The base portion of this stop member, including the part 13, is of such dimensions that it may pass freely through thechannel of the slider, or, vice versa, the slider may pass freely over the base portion of the stop member, but the parts 16 and 18, when occupying the position of Fig. 9, add

so much to the effective size of the stop member, as to limit movement of the slider. However, if the member 16 be turned back, as shown in Figs. 5 and 10 for example, it is possible for the slider to continue its normal path of movement upwardly past the stop member, since the part 16 will readily passthrough the slit between the side flanges of the slider.

Referring to Figs. 11 to 17, the stringers 1 and 2 are of the same type as above described, and the slider 5, the fastener elements 3 .and 4, and the bottom end stop members 9 and 10 are of the same construction already referred to. .In this case the improved top stop is also shown as applied to the left-hand stringer 1, and consists of a base portion 13 which, as indicated in Figs. 15 and 16, consist of a split ring-like sheet metal part em bracing the bead B, and firmly and permanently compressed about the latter. This base portion 13 is provided at the front side with an outward bend or projection 19, providing an elongate hearing opening extending longitudinally of the stringer. This base portion 13 is of such di-- mensions that it may pass freely through the slider channel. The slider-limiting element consists of a length of wire bent to form the pintle portion 20, (Fig. 13) which extends through the bearing opening in the part 19,an upper portion 21 extending substantially at right angles to the part 20; a bend 22; another part 23 extending substantiallyparallel to the part 21, and a part 24 which extends downwardly parallel to the edge of the stringer, and which is united to the lower end of the part 20. The parts 21, 22 and 23 thus collectively form an arm projecting substantially at right angles to the axis of the bearing opening, and in the normal condition of the parts, this arm extends outwardly across the normal path of movement of the slider (Fig. 11) so 'as to limit excess upward movement of the slider. However, thisarm may be swung to the position shown in Figs. 12 and. 14, in which event the slider may extend its normal path of movement and freely'pass by the stop member, the arm of the slider-limiting element extending outwardly through the 'slit between the guide flanges of the slider (Fig. 1'1).

The utility of this improved step may be appreciated from inspection of Figs. l-to 10 for example. In Fig. 1 the slider is shown as having been moved upwardly along'its normal path for closing the fastener, but the stop members 9 and 10 have become separated in some way or other, so that the opposed series of fastener elements have been pulled apart at a point below the slider. ,Under' these circumstances, and in order to restore the fastener to operative position again, the'end 18 of the slider-limiting element 16 of the top stop 12 is disengaged from part 13 and swung to the position of Figs. 3 and 10. Since the base portion 13 of this top stop is of relatively small dimensions as compared with usual top stops, it is possible, with the parts in this position, to draw the slider upwardly in a continuation of its normal path to a point beyond the member 13 and beyondthe series of fastener elements. The two series of fastener elements may now be separated freely, since the bead of stringer may be pulled laterally out through the slot between-the slider guide. flanges, thus leaving the slider, for example, in the broken line position at the top of Fig. 5. The slider may now be slid downwardly along .it

. normal path to the position indicated in broken lines at the bottom of said figure, and the limiting element 16 of the top stop may be restored to its normal operative. position, as shown. in. Fig. 6; The pin member 10 of the bottom stop member of stringer'2 may now be inserted into the slider and pushed downwardly into engagement with the stop member 9, thus restoring the parts to the position of Fig. 7, which is the normalstarting position from which the slider is moved upwardly for closing the fastener. Thus by a very simple manipulation of parts it is possible to remove the garment, or at least completely to separate the opposed series of fastener elements throughout their entire lengths, and then' again to restore the parts to their normal operative position without tearing or cutting, or the use of special tools.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 11 to 1''! is sufliciently obvious without further description. While I have herein illustrated certain desirable embodiments of the invention by way of example, I wish it to be understood that the invention is of broad scope as expressed in the appended claims, and that any equivalent means whereby one or both of the top stops may at will'be made temporarily inoperative to limit slider travel, is

regarded as falling within the purview of this invention.

" I claim:

1. A top stop for sliders of the class described,

said stop comprising a part having anchoring means attaching it to a stringer, a slider-limiting element, and hinge means for said element movably uniting it to said part, said hinge means having an axis substantially parallel to but spaced from the edge of the stringer about which said limiting element swings.

2. A top stop for sliders of the class described, said top stop comprising a part permanently at-, tached to a stringer, a slider-limitingelement, and hinge means for said element movably'uniting it to said part, said hinge means having an axis so disposed and arranged that the constituent particles of said limiting element are constrained to move in paths substantially perpendioular to the edge of the stringer as the limiting element is swung about said axis.

3. In combination in'a separable fastener of the kind having opposed seriesof fastener elements flexible stringers supporting the respective series, a slider movable in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener, said slider being operative to move the elements of the respective series into and out of engaging relationship for closing and opening a gap respectively, and a separable bottom stop normally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a slider-limiting element normally disposed in the path of the slider and operative to limit the movement of the slider in gap closing direction, and attaching means normally uniting thelimiting element to one of the stringers, said attaching means being designed and arranged to allow said element to move to a position such as to permit further movement of the slider along said path in the same direction.

4; In combination in a separable fastener ofthe kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers supporting the respective series, a slider slidable in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener and operative to move the elements ofthe respective series into and out of engaging relationship for closing and opening a gap respectively, and a. separable bottom stop normally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a top stop including a base member fixedly anchored to one of the stringers and arranged to allow said limiting element to move completely out of the path of the slider whereby to permit the slider to continue its movement along said path past the top stop.

5. In combination in a separable fastener of the kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers supporting the respective series, a slider for moving the elements of the respective series into and out of engaging relationship for closing and opening a gap respectively, said slider moving in a substantially rectilinear path, and a' separable bottom stop normally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a slider-limiting element adjacent to the upper end of one of said series of fastener elements, and attachingmeans normally uniting said limiting element to the corresponding stringer, said limiting element normally being disposed to limit upward movement of the slider along said rectilinear path, the attaching means being so designed and arranged as to allow the limiting element to move to a position such that the slider may continue its upper movement along said path past said limiting element.

-6. Iii-combination in a separable fastener of the kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers-supporting the respective series, a slider for moving the elemenis of the respective series into and out of engaging relationship for closing and opening a gap respectively, said slider being movable along a path extending longitudinally of the fastener, and a separablebottom stop normally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a top stop' comprising a base portion which embraces the edge of the stringer and which is permanently united thereto, a slider-limiting element carried by said base portion and normally disposed in the path of the slider, and attaching means so uniting said element to the base portion as to allow said element to be moved completely out of the path of the slider at will.

'7. In combination in a separable fastener of the kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers supporting the resp ctive series, a slider for moving the elements of the respective series into and out of engaging relationship for closing and opening a gap respectively, said slider moving in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener, and a separable bottom stop normally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a top s' op comprising a base portion having anchoring means permanently attaching it to one of the stringers, and a slider-limiting element normally disposed in the path of the slider, and a jointed connection between said base portion and said limiting element, said jointed connection having 'an axis about which,the limiting element may swing from out the pah of the slider, the axis being so disposed and arranged that in so swinging all of the constituent particles of the limiting element move in planes perpendicular to the path of the slider.

8. In-combination in a separable fastener of the kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers supporting the respective series, a slider for moving the elements of the respective series into and out of engaging relationship for closing and opening a gap respectively, said slider moving in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener, and a separable bottom stop normally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a top.

stop comprising a base portion of sheet metal having means fixedly anchoring it to the stringer, but of such dimensions as to permit it to pass freely through the slider, a slider-limiting element, also of sheet metal, and hinge means uniting said limiting element to the base portion, said hinge means having an axis which is substantially parallel toithe path'of the stringer, the limiting element normally standing in the path of the slider but being movable out of said path by swinging about said axis.

9. In combinatiton in a separable fastener of the kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers supporting the respective series, a slider movable in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener for moving the elements of the respective series into and out of engaging relationship for closing and opening a gap respectively, and a separable bottom stop normally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a top stop comprising a base portion fixedly secured to the stringer, and a slider-limiting element movable relatively to said base portion, said slider-limiting element having a retaining part normally so engaging the base portion as to retain said element in slider-limiting position, and attaching means so uniting said limiting element to the base portion as to allow the limiting element to be moved to a position out of the path of the slider after disengagement of the retaining part from the base portion.

10. In combination in-a separable fastener of the kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers supporting the respective series, a slider movable in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener for moving the elements of the respective series into and out of engaging relationship for closing and opening a gap respectively, and a separable bottom stop normally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a top stop comprising a sheet metal base portion having a curved part embracing the beaded edge of the stringer, and a tail extending laterally beyond the bead, said base portion being of such dimensions as to permit it to pass freely through the slider, a sliderlimiting element, hinge means uniting said slider-limiting element to said tail, said hinge means having an axis substantially parallel to but'spaced from the edge of the stringer, said limiting elementbeing curved adjacent to its free end and normally partially embracing the curved part of thebase portion and standing in the path of the slider, the limiting element being movable out of said path by swingingforwardly about the axis of the hinge means.

11.In combination in a separable fastener of its longitudinally of the fastener for moving the elements of the respective series into and out of engaging relationsh p for closing and opening a gap respectively, and a separable bottom stop normallyuniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a 'top stop comprising a base port on anchored to the stringer, said base portion being of such dimensions as to permit theslider to pass it, a slider-limiting element of resilient material, and hinge means uniting the slider-limiting element to said base portion, said hinge means having an axis substantially parallel to the slider path, the freeend of said element being curved and operative to embrace a part of the base portion with resilient -prising a base portion fixedly secured to the a gap respectively,

\ opening therein, and

-by continued movement along grip, thus normally retaining said element -,in

slider-limiting position.

12. In combination in'a separable fastener of the kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers supporting the resp'ec-- such dimensions as to permit the slider to pass it, a slider-limiting element, and hinge means uniting said element to the base portion, said hinge means having an axis substantially parallel to the edge of the stringer, the free end of said element being hook-like and operative to clasp about a part of the base portion, thereby normally to retain said element in operative position.

13. In combination in a separable fastener of the kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers supporting the respective series, a slider movable in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener for moving the elements of the respective series into and out of engaging relationship for closing and opening and a separable bottom stop normally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a member at the upper end of one series of fastener elements so dimensioned as to permit it to pass freely through the slider channel, and a top stop at the upper end of the other series, said top stop comprising a sheet metal base member embracing and anchored to the edge of one stringer adjacent to the upper-end of,the series of fastener elements carried by the latter, said base member being of such dimensions as to permit the slider to pass it, a slider-limiting-element of sheet metal, and hinge means, having an axis substantially parallel to the slider path, uniting the slider-limiting element to the base member, the slider-limiting element being normally operative to prevent the slider from moving beyond the stop member, but being movable about said hinge axis wholly out of the slider path.

,14. In combination in a separable fastener of the kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers supporting the respective series, a slider movable in a path extending lengthwise of the fastener for moving the 'elements of the respective series into and out of engaging relationship for closing and opening a gap respectively, and a separable bottom stop normally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a top stop-mounted on a part of the stringers at the end of the series of fastener elements carried thereby and comstringer, said base portion being of such dimensions as to permit it to pass through the slider channel, said base portion having a bearing a' slider-limiting element comprising a part arranged to swivel in said opening and a part normally disposed in the path of, the slider, the axes of said swiveling bearing opening being so arabout its axis the part thereof which is normally disposed in the path of said slider moves out of said path thereby allowing. the slider to be disengaged from both series of fastener elements the same path.

.tive series, a slider for moving 15. In combination in a separable fastener of the kind having opposed series of fastener elements, flexible stringers supporting the respecthe elements of the respective series into and out of engaging relationsh p for closing and opening a gap respectively, and a separable bottom stopTgnormally uniting the stringers at the lower ends of the respective series, a top stop comprising a base portion fixedly secured to the stringer, said base portion being capable of passing through the slider channel and having a bearing opening extending substantially parallel to the edge of the stringer, and a slider-limiting element consisting of a bent length of wire having a pintle portion disposed to turn in said bearing opening, and an arm arranged substantially at right angles to the axis of said pintle portion, said arm normally extending into the path of the slider, but being movable out of said path by swinging about the axis of the pivot part.

16. In combination in a separable fastener of the kind in which opposed series of fastener elements mounted upon flexible stringers are engaged for closing the fastener by movement of a slider in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener, a stop secured to one of the stringers and gaged for closing the fastener by movement of a slider in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener, said slider having guide channels for the respective series of fastener elements, and a top stop secured to one of the stringers, said top stop including a movable part and attaching means for said part, said part normally being disposed so as to limit movement of the slider in fastener closing direction, the attaching means for said part being so constructed and arranged as to allow said part to be moved to a position such that the slider may continue in the same direction along ,said path until both series of fastener elements escape from the slider channels.

18. In combination in a separable fastener of the kind in which opposed series of fastener elements mounted upon flexible stringers are engaged for closing the fastener by movement of a slider in a path extending longitudinally of the fastener, said slider having guide channels for the respective series of fastener elements, and a top stop secured to one of the stringers and including a base member fixedly anchored to said stringer and a slider-limiting element normally operative to limit movement of the slider in the fastener closing direction, and attaching means uniting said limiting element to the base member, said attaching means being so designed and arranged as to allow the limiting element to be moved to a position in which it is wholly out of the path of the slider thereby to permit the slider to be drawn completely out of engagement with the opposed series of fasteners by continued movement in the same direction.

19. A slider limiting top stop for separable fasteners, said stop comprising a base portion having means for fixedly attaching it to the edge of a ing element, and attaching means uniting the limiting element to the base portion in such a way as to permit relative movement of the element and base portion such that the constituent particles of said element move in planes substantially perpendicular to the edge of the stringer, said element having a resilient latch portion normally engaging a part of the base of the top stop thereby releasably to hold the limiting element in slider limiting position and in fixed relation to the base.

ROBERT C. LEGAT. 

